When you have a weak argument, you throw whatever you can to try to immunize it against attack[1], including things that are at most peripheral to the issue, like race, which is not an issue in many countries on earth (Thailand, China, Korea, Japan, most African countries, middle east, most parts of Europe, etc.

[1]It the modern "think of the children", but instead, "think of the minorities" but worse because there are adult voices in minorities who can speak for themselves and most also want safety. That said in many places there are racist policies against one group or another, but I don't think the above is that.